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Published on: December 18, 2010
Organisms causing spontaneous bacterial peritonitis in children with liver disease and ascites in Southern Iran
Mahmood Haghighat1, Seyed Mohsen Dehghani, Abdolvahab Alborzi
1Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran.
Insights
Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most frequent cause of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in children with liver disease. Third-generation cephalosporins are recommended for empirical treatment of SBP in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hepatology
Background:
- Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a serious complication in children with liver disease and ascites.
- Identifying causative agents is crucial for effective treatment and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the primary bacterial pathogens responsible for SBP in pediatric patients with liver disease and ascites.
- To evaluate the efficacy of current antibiotic regimens.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study of 12 pediatric patients with 13 SBP episodes over 2.5 years.
- Analysis of ascitic fluid (cell count, albumin, glucose, Gram stain, BACTEC culture, antibiogram) and serum parameters.
- Repeat ascitic fluid cultures 48 hours post-antibiotic therapy; 3-month follow-up.
Main Results:
- Streptococcus pneumoniae was the most common pathogen (38.5%), followed by Escherichia coli (15.3%).
- Most isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone.
- All patients achieved negative ascitic fluid cultures after 48 hours of antibiotic treatment.
Conclusions:
- Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause of SBP in children with liver disease.
- Third-generation cephalosporins (e.g., ceftriaxone) are recommended for empirical SBP therapy in this population.
Aim:
To determine the causative agents of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in children with liver disease and ascites in our center.
Methods:
During a 2.5 year period, from September 2003 to March 2006, 12 patients with 13 episodes of SBP were studied. In all cases at the time of admission serum albumin and glucose, urinalysis and urine culture was performed. Analysis [white blood cell (WBC) count with differential, albumin, glucose], gram stain, culture by BACTEC method and antibiogram was done on ascitic fluids. Abdominal paracentesis was repeated after 48 h of antibiotic therapy for bacteriologic assay. The patients were followed for at least three months in a gastroenterology clinic.
Results:
There were 7 girls (58%) and 5 boys (42%) with a median age of 5.2 years (range, 6 mo to 16 years). All cases had positive ascitic fluid culture. Gram stain was positive in 5 (38.5%) of them. The isolated organisms were S. pneumoniae in 5 (38.5%), E. coli in 2 (15.3%), S. viridans in 2 (15.3%), and K. pneumoniae, H. influenza, Enterococci, and nontypable Streptococcus each in one (7.7%). All of them except Enterococci were sensitive to ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone. All ascitic fluid cultures were negative after 48 h of antibiotic therapy.
Conclusion:
S. pneumoniae is the most common cause of SBP in the pediatric age group and we recommend a third generation cephalosporine (e.g., Ceftriaxione or Cefotaxime) for empirical therapy in children with SBP.
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